Antifertility effects of melatonin in male rats

ABSTRACT

The effects of melatonin on the reproductive organs and testosterone concentration were investigated in adult male rats. Melatonin administration, intraperitoneal [0.5 mg/rat], for successive 14 days resulted in a significant decrease in the testes, epididymis seminal vesicle and fat body weight. Varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of seminiferous tubules associated with marked interstitial and subcapsular oedema were observed. Plasma testosterone concentration was significantly decreased [1.76 ng/ml] in melatonin treated rats as compared to the control [2.75 ng/ml]